Washing machine



July 5", 1932," RATAIcZAK 1,866,519v I y WASHING MACHINE 9 v Filed June20, 1929 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR I BY TAMM W ATTORNEY July 5, 1932. T.F. RATAICZAK WASHING MACHINE Filed June 20. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR ATTORN EY Patent ed July 5, 1932 PATENT OFFICE moms r. mmrczax,or racy, onro wn'snme mcnnm Application. filed June 20,

. This invention relates to washing machines and more especially to thetype of machine for washing metal parts or dishes in which a washingliquid is projected against the articles to be washed, and, afterpassing over the articles, it is collected in a reservoir for re-use.The object of the invention is to provide in such washing machines animproved, effective, and convenient means for clarifying the washingliquid between its contacts with the articles to be washed.

In accordance with the invention, a washing machine is rovided with aconventiently accessible clari ying tank through which the washingliquid is passed between its contacts with the articles to be washed.This tank contains means for removing from the washing liquid bothfloating impurities, such as grease, and heavy particles, such as metalchips.

To further clarify the nature of the invention, I will describe indetail a specific washing machine embodying the invention which is shownin the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a transverse section of the machine taken on the line 1-1 ofFig. 2; and

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the machine taken on the line 2-2 ofFig. 1.

The washing machine illustrated is of the type in which the articles tobe washed are carried by a traveling support or conveyor 10 through along hood 11 in which are contained sprayers 12 of any desired type forprojecting washing liquid upon the articles.

The reservoir or main tank 13 of the machine is located directly underthe hood 11.

Power-driven pumps 14 in conduits 15 leading from the main reservoir 13to the sprayers 12 serve to draw the washing liquid from the reservoirand to project it against the articles on the conveyor.

A clarifying tank 20 is provided at one side ,of the main tank 13. Theinner side of the clarifying tank communicates directly with one side ofthe main tank and with a lateral opelning 16 in the hood 11 just abovethe main tan The clarifying tank is provided with overflow means formaintaining a constant liquid 1929. Serial No. 872,281.

level in it and in the main tank. In the form shown, such means consistof an overflow box 21 located in the upper part of one end of the tank20 and communicating with a drain pipe 22, which extends out throu h anopening 23 in the end of the tank 20. T e liquid level of the tank 20is, therefore, maintained at the upper edge 24 of the overflow box 21.

The clarifying tank contains one or more removable vertical partitions25, 25' which serve as combined skimmers and strainers.

The removable partition 25 is slidably mounted on a pair of verticalangle irons 26, 27 which are fixed respectively on the end of the tank20 remote from the overflow box and on a short fixed partition 28extending out from the inner side of the tank close to the overflow boxwith its upper edge on a level with the upper edge 24 of the overflowbox. The removable partition 25 is provided at its edges with tabs 29which slidably engage the projecting edges of the angle irons 26, 27, sothat the partition may be easily lifted out of the tank 20.

The partition 25 has an upper imperforate portion which extends bothabove and below the upper edge 24 of the overflow box, and a lowerperforate portion. The upper imperforate portion is thus at the level ofthe surface of liquid in the tank 20 and serves as a skimmer, whilethe'lower portion acts as a strainer.

To facilitate the collection and removal of metal chips or other heavyparticles strained out of the liquid, the partition 25 may be providedwith a pan 30 extending outwardly from its lower edge and removable fromthe tank with it. Triangular side pieces 31 connect the pan confine thechips deposited in the pan when the partition and pan are lifted out.

A second partition 25', precisely similar to the partition 25, exceptthat its screening portion may contain smaller holes, may be inserted inthe tank 20 behind the partition 25 when further skimming and screeningis necessary or desirable. It is apparent that still more similarskimming and screening partitions may be used, if desired, without anychange in the tank 20-except a slight inwith the partition and serve tocrease in its width, if a large number of partitions is desired.

All the washing liquid which has been drawn from the reservoir 13 andprojected against the articles is passed through the skimming andstraining partitions of the clarifying tank before it returns to thereservoir. A horizontal cover 32 over the reservoir 13, which also formsthe bottom of the hood 11, directs all the liquid falling from thearticles through the lateral opening 16 of the hood into the tank 20.The liquid is received on a horizontal shield 33 removably sup orted onangle irons 34 on the side walls 0 the tank 20, so that it is slightlyabove the water level maintained in the tank 20. The shield 33 may havethe form of a shallow trough with side edges 36, as shown. The shieldhas at its outer edge an opening 37 which allows all the water receivedon the shield to fall upon a limited area of the surface of the liquidin the tank 20. As seen in Fig. 2, thls limited area is in front of thepartition 25 and is at a distance from the overflow box 21.

In the operation of the washing machine, the washing liquid circulatesfrom the reservoir 13 through the pipes 15 and sprayers 12 which directit against the articles on the conveyor. It then falls upon the cover32, whence it is directed upon the shield 33, and thence into the outerpart of the tank 20 through the opening 37 in the shield. After passingthrough the perforate portions of the partitions 25,25", it re-entersthereservoir 13. As is usual, a constant addition is made to thecirculating washing liquid by fresh liquid constantly supplied through arinse spray or in any other usual way, so that there is a constantoverflow from the tank 20 into the overflow box 21.

Both floating and heavy impurities are removed from the liquid in thepassage through the clarifying tank 20.

The grease and floating impurities are pre= vented from passing into thereservoir by the imperforate upper portions of the partitions 25, 25',so that they flow off into the box 21 with the overflow. This skimmingoff of the floating impurities is facilitated by the fact that theposition of the opening 37 in the shield 34 introduces the liquid in theclarifyingtank in such a way that the surface of the liquid is notagitated in the vicinity of the overflow box nor in the vicinity of thepartitions 25 and 25. v

The metal chips or other heavy impurities which the liquid contains onenterin the clarifying tank are strained out of the liquid by the lowerportions of the partitions 25, 25'

and deposited in the trays at their lower edges. It is apparent'thataconsiderable quantity of such impurities may collect in these traysbefore any substantial part of the perforated portions of thepartitions, are obstructed by them. To remove such chips or otherparticles, it is necessary only to open the hinged cover 38 of the tank20, to remove the shield 33, and then to lift out the partitions 25, 25'with their trays.

WhatI claim is:

1. In a washin machine, a clarifying tank through which t e washingliquid is passed between its contacts with the articles to be washed,overflow means for maintaining a constant liquid level in said tank, aremovable vertical partition in said tank beyond the overflow meanshavin an upper imperforate portion extending rom above the liqu1d levelto below the liquid level to skim grease and floating impurities fromthe liquid, a lower foraminous portion wholly below the liquid level tostrain particles from) the liquid, and a horizontal pan for collectmgthe particles strained out of the liquid secured to said partition nearits lower edge and removable from the tank with the partition.

2. I n a washing machine, a clarifying tank containlng an overflowpartition which divides it into an overflow chamber and an open flowpassage through which the washlng liquid is passed between its contactswith the articles to be washed, a drain for the overflow chamber, and aremovable vertical partition extendin from an intermediate point of saidover ow partition transversely across the flow passage and having animperforate portion at the level of and above the upper edge of theoverflow partition to direct floating impurities over the overflowpartition and a lower foraminous portion located wholly below the upperedge of the overflow partition.

3. In a washing machine, a clarifying tank containing an overflowpartition having a straight upper edge below the top of the tank, saidpartition serving to divide the tank into an overflow chamber and anopen flow passage through which the washing liquid is passed between itscontacts with the articles to be washed, a drain for the overflowchamber, and a plurality of skimlmers extending from said overflowpartition transversely across the flow passage at the level of and abovethe upper edge of the overflow partition to prevent passage of floatingimpurimy hand.

THOMAS F. RATAICZAK.

